Awesome, Awesome week...

...First of all, Let me say, I successfully made it through HELL WEEK, better known as SPRING BREAK, so I thank my lucky stars for that! Woo!

The kids basically did their own thing, Jaree went with my mom, Jariel and Bee hung out with friends. We were SUPPOSED to go to Wisconsin, but Baptiste had to get major work on the van, so we opted to sit this one out and just do two vacations over the summer. We usually, take the children on two big trips per year. One over spring break, and one in summer.

I was shocked because the kids were not at all upset! We did make it up to them with a shopping spree, summer toys for Jaree, and some games for the psp for Jariel, and money for Bee. So trust me, they weren't toooooo upset. They got clothes and shoes, and they were extra happy.

Now onto my weekend! Friday I went out with Baptiste at the club he dj's at....
I have met so many wonderful people there, that I have come to love....
I don't go just for Baptiste anymore, I hang out with the other dj's wife Red.

I don't normally drink, but she is one of the barmaids and she makes a GREAT amarilla sour. And she kept sending them back there. I danced off about 25 lbs that night. I love to dance! The thing is I CAN DANCE, very well! My kids tease me all the time, and say "mom you need to be on the videos", because I learn and catch on very quickly. So they are amazed, that mama can drop it like it's hot literally! LOL I am only 33, but I guess that is ANCIENT to them....LOL

My husband on the other hand, can not dance 'A LICK'. He has "no rhythm" at all! LOL We crack up at him all the time.

But getting back to Friday night, I was "hot to trot" as usual. I wore what I like to call the "balloon top" it was off the sholder with a v neck collar, it was mostly white, but on a diagonal it was black, hot pink, and silver insignia.... it fits very tight around the thighs and butt area, I wore it with black leggings and hot pink 4 inch pumps. Hair and make up to perfection. I got so many compliments, dh was getting angry...LOL
Because they were not all women complimenting...if you get my drift...LOL

And I literally through that outfit together...
The shirt was new bought it from MACY'S on clearance, it was a House of Derreon shirt

The pumps which made the outfit in my opinion, were from a boutique called "Maxinne's", and she had an early bird special....

Leggings were very cheap...

So again, inexpensive outfit, but I was the standout...

I hate that, I spend tons of money on an outfit, and nobody notices it..
spend a little and everyone loves it...Crazy

but, I have been losing a lot of weight. And no I am not on a diet. I think it has been stress. Which is not good. But anyway, Baptiste is turning into a JEALOUS TEENAGER. I told him it is not a "good look" for him.

I am not going to lie, I LOOKED DAMN GOOD FRIDAY....
I knew and I think Baptiste knew it too!!!!! LOL
And I was getting a lot of UNWANTED action...

I am not a mean or a rude person, so when any man comes to me and tries "holler" (for all of my oblivious readers, that means "pick me up"), I shoot them down easy! I don't have to curse them out or tell them to "f*&^ off". I thank them for the compliment, but I let them know that I am HAPPILY MARRIED.

Well, Baptiste thinks I don't know how to handle myself, and that I have too many guys hanging over me, and that is disrespectful to him as my husband. He also, feels that I shouldn't dance with anyone.

First off, I normally dance by myself. But I don't think there is anything wrong with dancing, most of the time I do dance with 'ANOTHER MAN', it's to steppers music and I can step really well and everyone who knows me at that club, knows I can STEP. So even the women, will grab my hand to step with me.

Well, get this....

I was dancing, it was a table full of men who were there celebrating a birthday...

I saw them glancing over at me as well as my niece Tania...
I didn't pay it any mind....

Well, when I hear a song I like, I don't care if it's on the BISHOP FORD EXPRESSWAY, I will dance in my car, OR I have been known to park my car and get out and dance....

That is me....Dana.....I am who I am....all day ....everyday..

Well, this man who was celebrating his 65th birthday, grabbed my hand and asked me to dance...

I danced with him....
Another lady jumps up and dances with him as well....
Then his son, jumps up and says "well let me help my dad out"
He started to dance with me...

No touching, no bumping and grinding, just strictly dancing...
I knew the guy was feeling me, and when he would try and grab my waist, i would gently push his hands down....
I don't play any "slick touching"
Keep your hands to yourself man.....LOL

Well, when the guy turned his back, I went to sit back at my table...
he runs after me and said "don't run from me baby"
I told him that I was not running and that I was tired and that my husband was the dj...

He understood, he didn't press...
He just sat at the table and talked, along with his dad...
Maybe 10-15 minutes tops...

Then there were about 5 guys that came up to me through the course of the night, that tried to say something and one guy was so drunk, that he literally fell over on me, and was flirting...

And another guy put his arm around me and all he said was I looked nice...

again, no touching, no grabbing, no over agressiveness...
Just people having a good time...

So one of the regulars, go over to his dj booth and says "Damn man, they always all over your wife"

and that is all it took....
One bell ringer.....One pot stirrer....

I am there to have a good time, I don't give a damn about what someone says or thinks of me...
Hell, I already know I LOOK GOOD...
So, no MAN, can tell me something I already know
I am not conceited, just CONFIDENT, and I have always been that way.

I have always been complimented on my looks, since I was a child...
does that crap go to my head...
No, because my mom and dad told me I was beautiful my entire life....
and that is what built my self esteem....
By the time I was 6, you couldn't tell me anything....LOL

Well, to make this long story short,

I did receive a lot of attention, just happened to be more that night...
Hell maybe it was the pumps.....
Who knows, they were HOT! lol

But, I was there to have a good time...
I am a real person, I am going to be myself....
I didn't do anything out of the ordinary..
I am a LADY, in every since of the word...

the other dj came up to me and grabbed me around my neck and whispered in my ear "you are in trouble"

I was kind of tipsy, so I was like "yeah and I hope I get a spanking too"!
He laughed ...I laughed...

We get in the car and I was talking ...
and it was like I was talking to myself...

So i did a foolish thing...
I asked what was wrong?

And he let me have it from both ends....
He was so mad, I put my seat belt on ...
He was swerving in the car...

He ranted and raved....
Came home, turned his back and went to sleep...
Guess what?

I went to sleep too!

He didn't say two words to me, that next morning..
He went to work...

I went to a funeral...

And that minister was preaching about 'unconditional love'
I swear he must have been in our house yesterday...

It seems that no matter what I am going through, that is the sermon being preached...

it never fails...

He tore the house up...

I needed that...

My uncle (who is really not my uncle, but he has been a part of our family for 60 years) passed from prostratec cancer.
He was such a lively and fit man.
It was sad, but uplifting.

We went over to his house for the repass and I don't know if you have ever been somewhere, that they just make you feel like you are part of their family,

You feel right at home....

That is how his wife made us feel...

She never came around much, but Billy Moe (my uncle) was at every single family gathering, and with my cousin Mike every day. They were truly best friends.

I was re-introduced to his triplet sons (well one brother passed last year) and man we just talked and talked....

We used to play in the sandbox together, and I was bigger than all of them, now they tower over me....

We were talking so much, my cousin/uncle Mike (he's old enough to be my uncle, but he is actually my first cousin) came in to remind us we were COUSINS....

They might of been flirting, but I sure wasn't. I really missed them! To be honest, I used to beat them up.... I was such a tomboy and they sure reminded me of that.

They are MEN!!!! They take care of their children, they take care of their two nieces that their other brother who died, they took care of their father up until he passed, and now they are taking care of their mother...

Men!!!!! I had to give it to them! They were some knuckleheads during their teenage years, but now they are TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS...

We ended up being one of the last to go home....
They did grow up to be very HANDSOME THOUGH....LOL

My mom ended up calling me the next morning and asking me "how much money do you have", I said what , she said "how much money can I get for keeping my mouth shut about your little boyfriend you picked up yesterday", she even was playing the dozens....LOL

It wasn't like that!!!! LOL

Sunday, was a total day of REST AND RELAXATION....

Btw,
Baptiste apologized and began speaking to me Saturday night...lol
We just layed around and watched movies....

Even with the little DRAMATIC episode...

My weekend was Great!!!!

I was supposed to go to my cousin Alicia's birthday party Saturday night, but after Baptiste's little episode on Friday, I thought it may be smart to just stay home!!!LOL


Now....
On to scrapping news...

I am getting really excited, about some projects I am starting, and i have been an ordering fool. I got an email from MaryBeth of Justletmescrapbook, saying she had an appreciation sale. 30% off!!!!!

Adrienne, who is quite the little ENABLER, was nice enough to show us how she made the butterflies on her beautiful layout, and guess what caught my eye... the Tim Holtz cracke paint and that Martha Stewart glitter. Well I went to Michaels weeks ago, to get the glitter, but I couldn't find the Tim Holtz crackle paint. Well wouldn't you know it, Justletmescrapbook has it...
and you know all it takes is a coupon code and I am sold....LOL

I ended up getting:
Ranger Industries Tim TDC23678 1 4.27
Holtz Distress Crackle
Paint Broken China
Ranger Industries Tim TDC23654 1 4.27
Holtz Distress Crackle
Paint Antique Linen
Ranger Industries Tim TDC23722 1 4.27
Holtz Distress Crackle
Paint Fired Brick
Ranger Industries Tim TDC23876 1 4.27
Holtz Distress Crackle
Paint Worn Lipstick
Ranger Industries Tim TDC23869 1 4.27
Holtz Distress Crackle
Paint Weathered Wood
Hambly Transparency Mini 50611 1 2.84
Graph Pink
Hambly Transparency Urban 50597 1 2.84
Chic Frames White
Hero Arts Rubber Stamp LL230 1 18.99
Set Creative Trees
Jenni Bowlin Studio 011384 1 3.32
Rub-Ons Headings Black
Jenni Bowlin Studio TK246 1 3.79
Printed Tickets Icons
Girl
Jenni Bowlin Studio TK247 1 3.79
Printed Tickets Icons Boy
Jenni Bowlin Studio 0-jbs-dcjc-b 1 4.27
Die-Cut Journaling Cards
Black
Cherry Arte His and Her CA157 1 0.66
Basics Paper Her Beauty
Ranger Industries Tim TDC23661 1 4.27
Holtz Distress Crackle
Paint Black Soot
Ranger Industries Tim TDC23807 1 4.27
Holtz Distress Crackle
Paint Shabby Shutters
Subtotal 70.39
Coupon discount -21.12
(jester08)
Subtotal 49.27
Shipping 9.25
Tax 0.00
Total 58.52


That was some discount!!!! and thanks Adrienne, Baptiste is going to kill me now...

Of all the things I got, I loved the journal cards and tickets by Jenni Bowlin! i may just have to re-sign up for her kits...I quit all of my clubs in January, because I wasn't using them fast enough!!!

Well, this has been a POST OF EPIC PROPORTIONS....so I must go!

Until next time...

Old School Friday baby!!!

Ok, this was like a revolution in hip hop...

This group was new to the game....

They were introduced by a Tribe Called Quest...

And this group gave birth to a very popular rapper...

But, I was in love with one of members...

His name was Charlie Brown!!!!!

But Bustah Rhymes was in this group...

And this was a HIT!!!

I used to go crazy when I heard this song!

Plus Q-tip is soo damn sexy!!!!

I used to park myself in front of television to watch Yo Mtv Raps or The Mayor on Bet...

Anybody remember that? LOL

I used to love to hear Bustah say :
OH MY GOD, OH MY GOSH!!!

So, I give you


SCENARIO, by Tribe Call Quest and Leaders of the New School.

Part 2: of whopping big post...LOL

Part deux!!!
As promised, Here is part 2
Well, for some of my regular blog readers, you may or may not know that I have an older brother. We were at one time, EXTREMELY CLOSE. However, through the years, he has become estranged from the family. We RARELY see him, UNLESS, we go to his house. He has 3 beautiful children, and they are truly missing out on a WONDERFUL family.

Well, to make a long story short, my brother was rushed to the hospital on yesterday, with PANCREATITIS, he was in extreme pain. They admitted him and they suspect he may have COLON cancer. My mom was diagnosed with this a couple years ago. While I am not CLAIMING ANYTHING, it really unnerved me, because the fact that he does not come around the family....

I love my brother so much! It's something, that I cannot shut off. We may have our differences, but he is STILL MY BROTHER, my ONLY BROTHER, from my mom. He looked so helpless and fragile in that hospital bed, and I just got SO FULL....

I had to leave the room, and I just balled....

No matter what, BLOOD IS THICKER THAN MUD....and I am going to go see him, no matter if he ever darks my doorstep again...
He was really happy to see all of us, and was so thankful. Like he was SHOCKED, we came.
I am alll about my family....
When anything happens....I AM JOHNNY ON THE SPOT...
I always have been that way..

I am taking care of his children, while he is the hospital.....
It's rare that you get to see my other nieces and nephews, but
here is Najee, Nubia, and Nas


Nubia on the left, Najee the oldest in the middle and Nas on the right




Nas and his favorite person in the world Jariel


This boy is a mess , Look at Nas

Nubia looks so much like my mother it's ridiculous, she HAS NO LIPS, just like my mom....


And Miss Najee looks so much like my sister Tracy


Look at Jaree, she is actually on her knees, she is sooooo much taller than they are ...and get this Najee is older than Jaree, and Nubia is the same age as Jaree ....LOL


This is one of my favorite shots, please ignore my laudry in the background....it is clean....LOL


Everybody just adores Nas, he is such a good little boy


Love this pic too

Nubia loves the camera.....LOL

I had to get these shots, because I don't see them often. Not nearly as much as Aaron and Aaliyah, but that is all about to change...

Here are a few more shots from Easter: which was WONDERFUL. We went to my mom's for dinner, met up with my sister and her children. Ate ourselves into OBLIVION, and watched the KING OF KINGS....
On the menu:

Grilled salmon
Barbeque chicken
Spiraled ham
Collared greens
Corn on the cob
Candied yams
Roast Beef
Baked macaroni and cheese
Potato Salad
Fried Okra
Yeast rolls and corned bread

Dessert
Banana cream pie
Oreo cheesecake
Turtle brownies...

I know I gained atleast 5 lbs....LOL


The food was not ready, can you tell?

More of the kids being buttholes....LOL


Almost had a good picture, but Bee had his MAJOR ATTITUDE FACE ON!


oK, can you see the duck in the background, ok it's not the same duck that liked getting it's picture taken. This duck kept watching, and would swim up, really close to my mom's pier, but as soon as we would look at him, he would swim away....I think he had something up it's sleeve. He was trying to JACK US.....lol

I will leave you with my favorite shot of the girls...Najee is on the left, and Nubia the right. They are exactly 10 months apart.....Alot of people mistake them for twins, but Najee is the older sister and the boss! You pick up a lot after 24 hours....

I will have them until tommorrow afternoon, as their other Aunt (their mom's sister), will be picking them up....

I guess I will have fun until then...

Until next time...

disclaimer: HUGE WHOPPING POST!

Ok, ladies and gentlemen hold on to your seats because this is going to be one heck of a post! Grab a cup of joe, tea, pop, beer, wine, fiji water, whatever is your pleasure, because this is going to be one doozy of a post!

Let's start with Easter, took this on accident, but isn't that a beautiful Easter sky...I don't know It just spoke to me...
Well, you know me, I took a gazillion pictures, but I won't bore you with all of them, just a few of my favorite pics...Ok well, maybe it's more than a few, but I am sure you will enjoy. Or atleast, I hope you enjoy them...


This is a picture of Jaree and my niece, I don't know what they were talking about, but I guess it was very interesting....

Now the boys stole the photo shoot this time, do they not look cool!


Bee (my oldest), does not like to take pics anymore, he moans, he groans, but doesn't he take nice pics.....and Jariel and my nephew Aaron look sooo grown


This is MY FAVORITE shot! It totally captures their very different personalities....

So, I guess you are wondering why I took a picture of a duck. Well, I was outside taking the pics, by the lake with Jariel, and this duck swims up to my mom's pier, quacking, loud as ever. I didn't think anything of it. He just continued swimming and appeared to be watching us, take pics..... Well I guess she wanted to be part of the show, because she let me snap tons of pics and then she flew up to the pier and followed us all the way to the doorstep. My dad got upset, because he swears, the duck was hungry, and that is why she followed us, and many, many, years ago, a duck broke the patio window, looking for me....because I fed it all the time, and it knocked on the door with it's beak and you guessed it...SHATTERED MY MOM's window, but I was 17 years old when that happened...HELLLLLOOOOO I am 33 now! So how many years ago was that....

Bee, looks so peeved.....LOL

Does he not look bored as ever....


He was so frustrated at this point, because I had told him "just one more shot', about 20 shots ago...LOL

Nobody cooperated on this pic, even Jaree was giving me the evil eye.....lol

Well, Aaron and Aaliyah sure love getting their pic taken

Baptiste didn't even know I was taken his pic too busy playing on the MAC....

JARIEL, loooked soooooo handsome...He has grown sooooo much this year

Jariel took this pic and I like it

Actually like this pic of Bee

He looks so nice here

Didn't photoshop this yet, but I think its cute...I have to work with it though

Had to get some black and whites

Jariel is such a ham

he looks so serious



I love this pic with me and the kids and my mom

Now look at all of the pics of Miss Jaree....I love them alll



This is my absolute favorite...she looks like cinderella....

I have more pics to post, and more new to tell, but I have to do this in part 2


Stay tuned for more

EPMD - You Gotz To Chill

OSF BAby...

Aww...For all yall who don't know Osf, stands for Old School Friday!

Ok, this duo was LEGEND, while I was in high school...

Who couldn't resist the Green eyed bandit....

They had their own style...
One of them had a speech impairment, but hey I loved how he rappped....

I have all of their cd's ever made...


But this has to be my favorite...

Next runner up would be:
Who's Booty or Crossover...

I give you Epmd's You Got's to chill...

I've been bad again!

Hambly is the devil! I am convinced! I was blog surfing and looked at some of Kristina Contes work, whom I love and she's on their Design team. I totally love Hambly and honestly never buy much, because I can't find it. I hate shopping online, because alot of times, things look great online, but when you get it .....IT AIN'T SO GREAT....lol

Anyway, one of my favorite store is Windy City Scrapbooking, but it's so far from my house, I didn't feel like making the trip and also, they didn't have what I wanted. It sold out!

So, I told you guys I have been thinking about starting some new projects...

Well with NEW PROJECTS...you need NEW SUPPLIES...

I didn't do a lot of damage, but this is what I got:

*** Please do not respond to this email. It was generated by our automated system. ***

Hello Dana-

Thank you for shopping at the Hambly Screen Prints online store. Here are the details of your order:

---

Order ID: 3448

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Order details:

Item	Quantity	Description	Price Ea	Total
R089	1	Mod Flowers R089	$5.00	$5.00
R090	1	Mod Flowers R090	$5.00	$5.00
R091	1	Mod Flowers R091	$5.00	$5.00
R093	1	Mod Flowers R093	$5.00	$5.00
R107	1	Journaling2 R107	$5.00	$5.00
CO100	1	Clearly Heavy Overlay CO100	$3.99	$3.99
HO 636	1	Mod Circles HO636	$3.00	$3.00
HO 641	1	Woodgrain HO641	$3.00	$3.00
HO 642	1	Woodgrain HO642	$3.00	$3.00
HO 572	1	5 Dandelions HO572	$3.00	$3.00
HO 570	1	5 Dandelions HO570	$3.00	$3.00
HO 520	1	Big Vintage Circle HO520	$3.00	$3.00
HO 577	1	Big Vintage Circle HO577	$3.00	$3.00
HO 597	1	Urban Chic Frames HO597	$3.00	$3.00

---

			Subtotal:	$52.99
			Tax:	$0.00
			Shipping:	$0.00
			Order Total:	$52.99

You have earned 52 color Frequent Shopper Points with this order. Your points total is now 52 color

---

Order will be shipped to:
Dana Brooks

Country Club Hills, IL
USA
60478

---

info@hamblyscreenprints.com

Thanks for shopping with us,

www.qbaroo.com/HamblyScreenPrints




shhhh don't tell Baptiste!!!!!

When you lay in the bed sick, you tend to get bored. And when I am bored, I get into trouble. LOL